Empire College Flu Information
Center
H1N1 (Swine) Flu
Update and Prevention
To keep our students, faculty and staff informed about the
changing situation regarding Swine Flu or H1N1, Empire College is taking steps
to protect the health and welfare of our college community, including providing
information on this Web site. Be sure to check back periodically for updates
and links to additional online resources.
Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
What is novel H1N1 (swine
flu)?
Novel H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus
causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the
United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person
worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza
viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a
pandemic of novel H1N1 flu was underway.
CDC Recommendations for the Amount of Time Persons with Influenza-Like
Illness Should be Away from Others
August 5, 2009
CDC recommends that people
with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they
are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of
fever-reducing medications.
This is a change from the
previous recommendation that ill persons stay home for 7 days after illness
onset or until 24 hours after the resolution of symptoms, whichever was longer.
The new recommendation applies to camps, schools, businesses, mass gatherings,
and other community settings where the majority of people are not at increased
risk for influenza complications. This guidance does not apply to health
care settings where the exclusion period should be continued for 7 days from
symptom onset or until the resolution of symptoms, whichever is longer; see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidelines_infection_control.htm
for updates about the
health care setting. This revision for the community setting is based on
epidemiologic data about the overall risk of severe illness and death and
attempts to balance the risks of severe illness from influenza and the
potential benefits of decreasing transmission through the exclusion of ill
persons with the goal of minimizing social disruption. This guidance will
continue to be updated as more information becomes available.
Keeping Yourself Healthy
Take actions every
day to stay healthy.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough
or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it or cough and
sneeze into your sleeve.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially
after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread
that way.
- Stay home if you get sick.
- Manage your stress, get enough sleep, eat healthy
foods, and exercise.
For more information, see Empire College’s H1N1 Flu Guide.
Information
Resources and Other Flu Websites:
Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm
- H1N1 Flu General Info: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm
- H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Press Updates: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/press/
- Updated Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education and Other Information: http://www.flu.gov/index.html
Sonoma
County’s Public Health Department Web page
http://www.sonoma-county.org/health/ph/news/
http://www.sonoma-county.org/flu
Community Health Centers in Sonoma County
http://www.santarosa.edu/for_students/student-services/student-health-services/sonoma-county-resources/
Managing anxiety about the H1N1 flu
http://apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=194
Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/influenza_pandemic.html